Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1972
Space Oddity, Moonage Daydream, Life On Mars?,… was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
BPKS-7036-1S IRunout side A, variant 1
BPKS-7037-2S IRunout side B, variant 1
BPKS-7036 - 1S I A1Runout side A, variant 2
BPKS-7037 - 2S I A1Runout side B, variant 2
BPKA-7036 - 3S HRunout side A
BPKA-7037 - 3S HRunout side B
BPKA-7036Label side A
BPKA-7037Label side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | US | RCA Victor EP-45-103 / RCA EP-45-103First year7", 45 RPM, EP, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | US | RCA Victor EP-45-103 / RCA EP-45-103First year7", 45 RPM, EP, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | US | RCA EP-45-1037", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Promo, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Promo, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo |
| 2011 | US | RCA EP-45-1037", 45 RPM, EP, Promo, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Promo, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo, Colored vinyl |
| 2011 | US | RCA EP-45-1037", 45 RPM, EP, Promo, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Promo, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo, Colored vinyl |
| 2011 | US | RCA EP-45-1037", 45 RPM, EP, Promo, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Promo, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo |
| 2011 | US | RCA EP-45-1037", 45 RPM, EP, Promo, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Promo, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | RCA EP-45-1037", 45 RPM, EP, Promo, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Promo, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo, Colored vinyl |
| ? | US | RCA EP-45-1037", 45 RPM, EP, Promo, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Promo, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo, Colored vinyl |
| ? | US | RCA EP-45-1037", 45 RPM, EP, Promo, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Promo, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo, Colored vinyl |
10 vinyl pressings of Space Oddity, Moonage Daydream, Life On Mars?,… are listed here, from 1 country, released between 1972 and 2011.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US. One of them is RCA Victor EP-45-103, released September 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EP-45-103) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BPKS-7036-1S I and BPKS-7037-2S I. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
